Ajinomoto earns EPR certification from DENR for sustainability efforts and environmental stewardship

In photo are Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) Chief Sustainability Officer Ernesto Carlos (middle); flanked by (L-R) DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Jonas Leones; DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla, President of Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS) Jess Reyes; and DENR OIC Assistant Secretary for Environment and Concurrent Director of the Environmental Management Bureau Jacqueline Caancan.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) was recently recognized with a Special Citation for Obliged Enterprises as part of the DENR's 2026 Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Recognition Program: Celebrating Achievements and Milestones.

At the heart of this achievement is APC's SariCycle® program, an innovative and adaptable plastic trash collection project that enables local micro-entrepreneurs, including Sari-Sari store owners, to play a leadership role in the community in reducing plastic waste and pollution. This program encourages small businesses to become environmental change agents by working together to provide recycling centers with cleaner, better sorted feedstock or materials for processing.

To fuel this program, APC collaborates closely with accredited partners such as Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST) and the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (QC CCESD). Through these partnerships, APC demonstrates its unwavering commitment to sustainability by delivering impactful, collaborative, and inclusive initiatives. 

As an FMCG company, the DENR's accreditation affirms APC's approach of putting sustainability at the heart of their operations and empowering communities to take action with them. The prize serves as a reminder that when businesses and communities collaborate, sustainability becomes a shared achievement rather than a goal.

Furthermore, this accreditation validates APC's 2030 Roadmap, which aims to minimize its environmental effect by 50% while increasing 1 billion people's healthy life expectancy. 

Beyond regulatory compliance, APC believes that sustainability promotes healthier environments, empowered micro-enterprises, and thriving local economies. The corporation also sets the bar for good business practices in the country, proving that corporate leadership and national progress can coexist.

The Ajinomoto Group is a global company with specialties in the business of food and amino acids, guided by our leading-edge bioscience and fine chemical technologies.

 

Based on the corporate message “Eat Well, Live Well.”, we have been scientifically pursuing the possibilities of amino acids in supporting the healthy lives of people all around the world. We aim for future growth and continuous contribution to greater wellness by creating value through sustainable and innovative solutions for communities and society.

 

The Ajinomoto Group has offices in 36 countries and regions and sells products in more than 130 countries and regions. To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com. 

Ajinomoto Empowers the Next Generation to Lead a Healthier Philippines through its Eat Well, Live Well Youth Summit

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) reaffirmed its commitment to long-term social and environmental value creation at the recent Eat Well Live Well Youth Summit, which emphasized the importance of nutrition, sustainable practices, and the power of youth as change agents. 

The 2026 Youth Summit, held in Tagaytay for CALABARZON youth, centered on a simple but strong philosophy: Eat Well, Live Well. In a world of convenience, Ajinomoto is challenging young people to understand that the joy of eating should not come at the expense of their health or the environment.

“Ajinomoto is committed to building a network of Wellness Champions. The youth are the best influencers of their social circles and communities. When a student learns how to cook a “Veggielicious” meal or learns a mindful approach to food that minimizes waste and shares these with their loved ones and peers - that’s how we can spark change and create a healthier society.” ~Mr. Koichi Ozaki, APC President 

APC has brought the Youth Summit to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, involving youth from various schools and communities. This was made possible by the endorsement of the Department of Education's national and regional offices, as well as the cooperation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Ms. Eduarda Zapanta, the DepEd Chief Education Supervisor of the Education Support Services Division; Ms. Johnalen Aira S. Soberano, the DepEd Region IV-A Nutritionist-Dietician II; Mr. Elbert Basallote, the DENR Regional Community Development Officer; Mr. Felix Joselito H. Noceda, the DA OIC-Field Operations Head; and Dr. Azucena Milana-Dayanghirang, the former Deputy Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council. They all agreed that young people who are environmentally and nutritionally sensitive will be responsible for the future of Philippine wellbeing.

CHAMPIONS FOR A HEALTHIER PHILIPPINES. Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) executives join hands with officials from DepEd, DENR, and DA during the Eat Well, Live Well Youth Summit held in Tagaytay on January 31, 2026. The summit gathered 250 participants from CALABARZON to promote balanced nutrition and sustainable living. (L-R): Mika Makino (APC Director); Bea Menorca-de Jesus (APC Nutritionist);  Johnalen Aira S. Soberano (DepED); Ms. Eduarda Zapanta (DepED Supervisor); Kristoff Buyoc (APC Manager); Dr. Azucena Milana-Dayanghirang (Nutrition Expert); Koichi Ozaki (APC President); and Makoto Tanabe (APC Senior Vice President)

Approximately 250 students from public and private schools took part in incisive panel discussions and engaging learning activities. APC's Nutrition Advancement team organized fascinating discussions about the fifth basic flavor, umami, as well as its attempts to promote vegetable consumption and better understand how umami seasoning or MSG may make nutritious food more appealing. 

APC's Sustainability team, on the other hand, emphasized the Ajinomoto Group's "Too Good To Waste" project, which included simple advice for conscious food consumption, such as choosing to eat more veggies, cooking them deliciously with umami, and minimizing waste.

The summit culminated in a passionate Ceremonial Pledge, when students, instructors, and stakeholders expressed their commitment to the “Eat Well, Live Well” vision. 

“Today is the beginning of your journey as Champions. By integrating these mindful habits into your daily lifestyle, you are not only improving your own well-being but are also leading the change toward a more sustainable Philippines.” ~Mika Makino, APC Director

Mika Makino, the director of sales, marketing, and public relations at APC, urged the student delegates to be change agents as she wrapped up the session.

The Ajinomoto Group is a global company with specialties in the business of food and amino acids, guided by our leading-edge bioscience and fine chemical technologies.

 

Based on the corporate message “Eat Well, Live Well.”, we have been scientifically pursuing the possibilities of amino acids in supporting the healthy lives of people all around the world. We aim for future growth and continuous contribution to greater wellness by creating value through sustainable and innovative solutions for communities and society.

 

The Ajinomoto Group has offices in 36 countries and regions, and sells products in more than 130 countries and regions. To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com.

Ajinomoto's SariCycle Program Launch

(From L-R) Mr. Ernie Carlos, APC Chief Sustainability Officer, Ms. Isabelita Mercado, BEST President, Honorable Mayor Joy Belmonte, Mr. Koichi Ozaki, APC President, Aji Panda Mascot and Mr. Jan Vincent Mercado, BEST Senior Vice President.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST) leads the Filipino community to a more sustainable lifestyle with the launch of the SariCycle Program through an event held in Quezon City (QC) Hall grounds attended by 150 sari-sari store owners based in Quezon City. 

The flagship program is poised to trailblaze in Quezon City, in collaboration with the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department and the Gender and Development Council Office of the QC local government unit.

(From L-R) Kiff Buyoc, APC Sustainability Executive, Mr. Jan Vincent Mercado, BEST Senior Vice President, Ms. Akiko Une, APC Director for R&D and Quality Assurance, Mr. Makoto Tanabe, APC Senior Vice President, Mr. Hironori Aoki, APC Director for Marketing, Sales and Public Relations, Ms. Andrea Villaroman, QC Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department Head, Mr. Koichi Ozaki, APC President, Honorable Mayor of QC Joy Belmonte, Ms. Isabelita Mercado, BEST President, Mr. Ernie Carlos, APC Chief Sustainability Officer, Mr. Mike Victorio, APC Regional Sales Department General Manager, Mr. Dennis Garcia, APC Regional Sales Department Head, Mr. Fidel Biag, APC Regional Sales Manager - Metro Manila and Lizza Santiago, APC Strategic Communications Specialist.

The event was hosted by DJ Mama Emma of Barangay LS 97.1, attended by Ms. Isabelita Mercado BEST President, Mr. Jan Vincent Mercado, BEST Senior Vice President, Mr. Koichi Ozaki, APC President, and Honorable Mayor Joy Belmonte who gave their respective messages during the program boosting the morale of the sari-sari store owners attendees. 

(From L-R) Ms. Isabelita Mercado BEST President, Honorable Mayor Joy Belmonte and Mr. Koichi Ozaki, APC President.

The SariCycle program is a product of APC’s commitment to create shared value that the Filipino people can benefit from, most especially the communities who continue to be  key players in the success of the Ajinomoto brand in enhancing the quality of life of its consumers through its innovative products. 

“With the SariCycle Program, we aim not only to reduce and manage plastic waste but also support the very communities that have been our loyal partners and consumers for more than 65 years now. The sari sari and market stall owners or the Sari Cyclers as we call them will receive environmental points for the flexible plastics collected.  There will be additional points for Ajinomoto products collected.  These points can be redeemed to purchase basic necessities in partner establishments.” ~Ernie Carlos, APC Chief Sustainability Officer

With SariCycle, sari-sari stores and market stalls will be given the opportunity to participate in an incentivized or reward system driven program that aims to manage plastic waste through a plastic collection system. 

In fact, the inclusive plastic collection program will also encourage patrons of the sari-sari stores to own their share in helping build a sustainable community for themselves, which will later inspire neighboring communities as well to take action in achieving a zero-waste environment. 

SariCycle is a simple, feasible, and effective program that ultimately elevates the lives of the Filipinos beginning in specific communities with its pilot launching. With the launch event being the first step into this program, the following steps will include plastic segregation from the collected plastic waste such as plastic sachets,  from Ajinomoto brand products. The collected plastic waste will then be deposited in different collection points all over Quezon City with corresponding Environmental Points (EP) depending on the weight of the collected plastic waste. 

The SariCycle Program aims to reach more cities and support hundreds and thousands more sari-sari store and market stall owners. APC, together with BEST, and the Quezon City Local Government are optimistic that this is just the beginning of a long-term commitment to push for a Zero-Waste environment that takes on an inclusive approach in realizing avenues and new platforms to champion sustainable development and contribute to the circular economy while building more sustainable communities. 

As the first batch of SariCyclers in Quezon City take on the pioneering participant roles for the SariCycle program, APC is more than positive that the neighboring cities in Metro Manila will also be as excited as they are to achieving more feats in taking care of the environment as they continue to promote better quality of life. 

The Ajinomoto Group is a global company with specialties in the business of food and amino acids, guided by our leading-edge bioscience and fine chemical technologies.

Based on the corporate message “Eat Well, Live Well.”, we have been scientifically pursuing the possibilities of amino acids in supporting the healthy lives of people all around the world. We aim for future growth and continuous contribution to greater wellness by creating value through sustainable and innovative solutions for communities and society.

The Ajinomoto Group has offices in 36 countries and regions, and sells products in more than 130 countries and regions. In fiscal 2021, sales were 1.1149 trillion yen (8.73 billion U.S. dollars). To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com.